Lunch with Clara

Last week, Michael was a "Watchdog Dad" at Clara's school, which is a neat program they have for fathers and father-figures to come and volunteer during the day at the elementary school. Clara was so excited to have him come (he's done it before as well and has also gone as a chaperone on a field trip with her). It was also the last day of the book fair, so Robbie and I came in at lunch time, ate lunch with Michael and Clara, and then took Clara to the book fair.

Robbie was super excited about going to Clara' school for lunch and bringing his own lunch box. Clara was a great big sister and eager to fulfill her role at school.

 Michael's taking a pic from the back--haha, we can't let those moments go!

 You might notice the awesome cowlick Robbie has. He does have unruly hair sometimes, but that day was particularly crazy because Robbie has requested I put a hairband in his hair the previous night (so he looked like a Who from Whoville) and had slept in it all night. Despite spraying it down, it was determined to be crazy.

 I promise I do exist beside being behind the camera--one of these days I'll get someone else to take the picture. It was a fun time, and Clara was thrilled to use her earned money to purchase a very intellectual, sophisticated, life-changing book called "Plants vs. Zombies." :-)

Robbie lately

At two and a half, Robbie is just getting more and more fun. Lately Robbie has enjoyed pretending there is a lion around. He'll tell me, "A lion bit me!" and I'll ask, "What did you do?" He'll respond, "I'll put him in time out," after which he goes over to the pantry, "throws" the lion in, and shuts the door. A week or two ago he informed me, "Lions don't have teeth." "They don't?" I asked in surprise. "No. They have lips. And mouth." Good to know.

Robbie enjoys Thomas the Train engine and making things into trains--most recently it's been emptying out puzzles and lining up all the pieces into a big "puzzle train." He also likes pretending with our half-eaten sandwiches at the counter during lunch time. One of his "trucks" will get stuck in the "water" and I'll use my "truck" to go and help pull his out.

Michael wrote down the following a couple of weeks ago and sent it to me:

"Tonight he interrupted my singing 'I Love to See the Temple' by saying, 'Don't lock the door . . . Michael.' He said 'Michael' with this little mischievous grin."

Other words:
"teeny wheats" -- Frosted Mini-Wheats
"band-ang" -- Band-aid
"gotional" -- devotional
"bedest" -- breakfast
"yice cream" -- ice cream
"lion" -- dinosaur, dragon, lion

Two days ago he was getting ready for his bath, I believe, and he looked down at his knee. "It's melted!" he told me. He meant that the owie on his knee had healed.

He loves to sing "Jingle Bells" and will sing any variety of other words to the same melody. Additionally, when he wants me to actually read the words on the page of a book and not just talk about the pictures, he'll ask me to "sing a song" (read the printed words). 

The other day he was in the guest room walking out and suddenly stopped. I looked at him questioningly, and he said matter of factly, "I'm just freezing." Then he "unfroze" and walked out like we all just freeze and unfreeze randomly throughout the day.

Clara and Robbie enjoy fighting and playing like two siblings do. Their favorite thing to do is to jump on the trampoline and fall onto the couch together or jump off the fireplace together. Seeing them be sweet to each other fills my heart with joy.

He is sensitive and kind--if I bump myself and say, "Ow," he'll ask, "Are you okay, Mommy?" He gives wonderful hugs and kisses and loves and is just happy to be next to us. This morning I was stretching on the living room floor and he came over to lie by me. Then he patted the floor and informed Daddy, "You can sit here if you want to." His prayers are very lengthy and detailed. I need to record them. He is grateful for slides and Legos and the green playground and candy and our neighbors' dogs and . . . If I try to hurry him along and say, "In the name. . . " he'll say sharply, "I'm not done yet!" and continue on. The other day his prayer was shorter and after he closed he said in dismay, "I forgot to pray for puzzles!" and then proceeded to pray for puzzles.

 In true boyish fashion, Robbie really enjoys going commando. I can't get over his strong little quads and hamstrings.

He can also be pretty naughty and sneaky, which is obviously not good but is also sometimes pretty funny (inwardly laughing, of course). He likes to lock doors, take things that aren't his and run away, hoping for a chase, and try to get away during Sacrament meeting at church. Additionally, now that he is comfortably potty-trained, he is excelling at the potty dance, holding himself, and informing us that he does not need to go potty (until the last possible minute).

All in all, we love the kid like crazy. (Slightly nervous about adding another one, though . . . )

Valentine's Day

I haven't been able to blog in a while because my laptop died (and with it many of my pictures--which I am still hoping to recover). While I do miss not having my own computer space (I do not like Michael's Mac even though he is hoping to convert me from PC), it has also been nice not to feel as drawn to my screen before bed and waste time online.

But to recount some past events: After we returned home from Hershey, we celebrated Valentine's Day on the 15th. But before I get to that, I can't forget the yearly daddy-daughter dance that Clara and Michael have gone to at her elementary school for the past several years.

 Robbie did not want to be left out of the picture.

 It was pretty hilarious trying to get a picture of just the two of them; none of the others really turned out, oh well!

 Robbie's reaction when I told him that he got to stay home with me. Poor kid!

Now back to the 15th. As I think I mentioned before, church was canceled due to snow and ice, so we enjoyed Sacrament meeting at home and had a brief Primary with the kids. That evening, I set the table all fancy with Clara's help.

 The kids were excited about their boxes of chocolates.

 Festive decorations are so fun!

 Another heart-shaped pizza masterpiece from Michael, complete with cheese-filled crust balls.

 This was a hilarious adventure trying to use the telephoto lens from the second floor to catch the whole family and table. Michael raced downstairs and over to the table in ten seconds (with some injury, but nothing serious :-)). I love that we have used those candles for the past twelve years! They are about ready to be replaced.

In other news, I had to share a pic of sibling love. I am so grateful for these moments when Robbie and Clara are being so kind and sweet to each other. They really do enjoy playing together, which is a blessing (despite plenty of fighting, too). I am thankful for my wonderful family.